![IMG4328.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/samstonehill/7G1y3hvD-IMG-4328.JPG)

There are a wide variety of fruit and nut trees growing naturally here  and last year we collected ten seeds from everything, planting them all in these little pots, which were actually much cheaper than the kind of pots one would buy in a garden centre.  I just drilled holes in the bottom for drainage.


![IMG3310.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/samstonehill/nj2u4NWM-IMG-3310.jpg)

At the end of the previous season I started apples, pears, lemons & clementines, seen below.  Bit annoyed at myself for damaging the lemon plants by leaving them exposed in the garden during our week of snow.  I think they will survive but their growth will be stunted.  Lesson learned.

![IMG3424.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/samstonehill/3zk4bZYJ-IMG-3424.jpg)

I was wondering which of last years seeds would make their appearance first... and now I know.  The almond!

![IMG4327.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/samstonehill/ZxGzIcHG-IMG-4327.JPG)

Once the majority have appeared I will separate them out into individual pots and clear a space in the garden where all of these are going to live. We will have something in the region of 200 baby trees at that stage, so the space will need to be quite big.  But the land I buy this Summer will quickly be blessed with a young food forest. Perhaps we will not even live in this country long enough to eat from these trees, but I will plant them anyway, for the better good of those who remain behind.

I shot a little film last year showing off many of these wonderful fruit & nut trees.
https://youtu.be/DAgRYklN3A4

## The mighty almond

Interesting to note that the almond tree is not only the first to germinate but it is also the first nut tree to flower in the spring. Almonds are the most alkaline of all the nuts, which is important given the ever increasing acidity of the world in which we live. 

Another quick point I want to make here is that you don't need to remove the outer shell of your seed to make them germinate, which seems to be what most people do, in a violent and unnatural manner. It is the same for nectarines & peaches which also have tough outer shells to their seeds. Humans are funny creatures, always looking to outsmart nature. Yes, these kind of seeds will sprout faster if you remove the shell but on the other hand if you simply replicate what nature does by dropping the unbroken seeds into dirt shortly after they fall from the trees, this will give them the best shot at becoming strong, healthy plants and they will pop up in the spring as nature intended, ready for their growing season.

Love & Light everyone, from a little sunny village in the South of France 🌱


![joch.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/samstonehill/7RXrevBl-joch.jpg)